Calgary PTI Supporters Hold Powerful Protest for Imran Khan and Human Rights

CALGARY: A large and passionate gathering of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters took place in Calgary on September 27, as Pakistani Canadians came together to express solidarity with former Pakistan prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan and to raise their voices over what they described as political victimization, human rights violations and the continuing political crisis in Pakistan.

The protest brought together a large number of men, women and children from Calgary’s Pakistani community. Participants carried PTI flags, raised slogans and listened to a series of speeches focusing on Imran Khan’s imprisonment, the political situation in Pakistan and what speakers described as the role of the establishment in the country’s political affairs.

The Calgary demonstration was organized by Imtiaz Ahmed, a longtime PTI supporter and community activist, who said the purpose of the gathering was to provide overseas Pakistanis with a peaceful platform to express their concerns about developments in their homeland.

Ahmed said that, despite living thousands of kilometres away from Pakistan, overseas Pakistanis remain deeply connected to the country and have a responsibility to raise their voices when they believe democratic and constitutional rights are being threatened.

The event featured speeches from several community members, including Humera, Tanveer Taj, Arshad Choudhry, Saqib and Gull Khan, along with other participants and PTI supporters.

Throughout the gathering, speakers strongly criticized the treatment of Imran Khan and his supporters. They demanded Khan’s release and called for what they described as justice, democracy, constitutional supremacy and respect for fundamental human rights.

Imran Khan remained the central figure of the protest.

Khan, who served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 until 2022, has been imprisoned since 2023 and has faced convictions in several cases. PTI supporters have consistently maintained that the cases against him are politically motivated and that his imprisonment is part of a broader campaign to prevent him from exercising political leadership.

The Calgary protesters strongly rejected what they described as attempts to silence Khan and PTI. Speakers said that political differences should be resolved through democratic institutions, elections and the rule of law rather than through arrests and restrictions on political activity.

The detention of Khan’s family members was another major issue discussed during the protest.

Particular attention was given to the arrest and detention of Imran Khan’s sisters. PTI supporters have strongly objected to the detention of Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan and Noreen Niazi, arguing that family members should not be targeted because of their relationship with the former prime minister.

The arrests became an emotional subject during the Calgary gathering, with speakers describing the treatment of Khan’s sisters as unacceptable and demanding their freedom.

Participants said that the situation involving Khan’s family demonstrated, in their view, the growing pressure being placed on people associated with PTI. They called for family members, political workers and activists to be allowed to exercise their legal and constitutional rights peacefully.

The speakers also strongly criticized the military establishment and specifically mentioned Field Marshal Asim Munir. Several speakers accused the establishment of interfering in Pakistan’s political affairs and raised allegations concerning human rights violations. These statements reflected the political views expressed by the speakers at the demonstration.

The situation in different regions of Pakistan also received considerable attention.

Speakers discussed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, raising concerns about what they described as violations of human rights and restrictions on political freedoms.

The speakers argued that the protection of human rights should not depend on political affiliation, geographical location or ethnic background. They called for equal treatment of citizens throughout Pakistan and emphasized the importance of constitutional protections and the rule of law.

The political situation following Pakistan’s 2024 general election was also discussed.

Several speakers referred to the government as the “Form 47 government,” reflecting PTI’s position that its electoral mandate was not properly recognized. PTI has repeatedly raised allegations concerning the election results and the subsequent formation of governments.

The issue remains one of the most contentious political questions in Pakistan. PTI supporters maintain that their party received a strong public mandate, while political opponents and state authorities have rejected PTI’s interpretation of the election process.

At the Calgary protest, however, speakers made clear that their concerns extended beyond election results.

They spoke about freedom of expression, political prisoners, treatment of journalists and activists, the right to peaceful assembly and the ability of political parties to operate without intimidation.

For many participants, the gathering was also an opportunity to send a message to Pakistan’s political leadership that the country’s overseas community continues to closely follow events in Pakistan.

Women and children were visible throughout the demonstration, giving the protest a strong family and community character. Participants listened to speeches, raised slogans and expressed solidarity with Imran Khan and PTI.

Organizer Imtiaz Ahmed said the participation demonstrated the continued interest of Pakistani Canadians in the political future of Pakistan. He emphasized that the protest was organized to peacefully express political views and concerns.

Ahmed described himself as an ordinary PTI supporter and said he organized the event because he believed overseas Pakistanis should have the opportunity to publicly express their concerns about developments in Pakistan.

The speakers repeatedly called for peaceful political activity and democratic solutions. They said that political disagreements should be settled through constitutional and democratic institutions and that citizens should have the right to express their political opinions without fear.

The Calgary protest also highlighted the continuing international dimension of Pakistan’s political crisis. PTI supporters in countries around the world have organized demonstrations and gatherings to express solidarity with Imran Khan and to draw international attention to their concerns about democracy and human rights in Pakistan.

For the people who attended the Calgary event, the September 27 gathering was not simply another political demonstration. It was an expression of their continuing connection with Pakistan and their belief that developments in the country have consequences for Pakistanis living both inside and outside the country.

As the gathering continued, participants repeated their demands for Imran Khan’s release, political freedom, respect for human rights and democratic rights.

The message from Calgary was directed not only at Pakistan’s political leadership but also at the wider Pakistani community abroad.

The protesters said they would continue to raise their voices peacefully and democratically for what they believe are the rights of the people of Pakistan.

With Imran Khan remaining at the centre of Pakistan’s political conflict and his family members also becoming part of the controversy, the Calgary demonstration demonstrated that the political debate surrounding PTI continues to resonate strongly among Pakistani Canadians.

For the participants, the gathering was ultimately about democracy, political freedom, human rights and the future direction of Pakistan. The crowd dispersed after expressing its determination to continue supporting its political cause through peaceful demonstrations and public awareness.